What to do in case of rain

[bboy1977]

Hi,

I'm going on my first trip to WDW and Universal studios Orlando March 7- 13th. I checked weather.com an looks like it's going to be raining the entire week.

Do any of the parks close beacuse of rain? Does it ruin the whole experience? I'm hoping they are still open and the rain kind of drives most of the crowds away. Anyone have any experiences with this.

I planned on going to daytona beach also, but looks like I'll have to scrap that idea also.

 

[eeyore kelly]

The info I have on rain pertains to WDW only. The only difference in my info and updated is now poncho are clear.

Rain
When it starts raining people will leave the parks in droves, which leaves the parks a lot emptier and the queue lines with shorter waits. It is to your advantage to stay at the park and buy yourself one of the yellow rain ponchos. Or better yet plan ahead and buy one at home and bring it with you. In the summer I always suggest taking at least one clean dry pair of socks and shoes to change into if the first ones get wet. Rent a locker to store your spare socks and shoes, especially if you know it is going to rain for a good part of the day.
Hundreds of people whip out rain ponchos or purchase ponchos - all in yellow! It can be near to impossible to locate a member of your party, especially one of your children, when everyone looks alike. Purchase rain ponchos at home in a bright color; red, blue, orange, lime green - anything other than yellow, and keep them with you for the inevitable - you'll be able to spot your party a lot easier.
Do not assume that because there are no clouds in the sky it won't rain that day. It usually rains every day in the summer for at least 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the sky, as these cloudbursts tend to move in quickly. If you don't have rain jackets, you can purchase rain ponchos at a number of locations at any given park. They are small, light and compact and will fit into a book-bag easily. TIP: Rent a locker to stow your rain gear, and bring a plastic bag to put it in once it’s been used.
Don’t leave the rain gear in the room because it doesn't look like you’ll need it. As stated above: rain comes up quickly. Always have the ponchos with you.

 

[goofy4tink]

The parks do indeed stay open in the rain!!! They will shut down the outside water rides in the event of a thunder/lightening storm but the inside attractions stay open. Be sure to have ponchos handy, then keep on touring. We really like it in the rain...cuts waaaay down on the crowds!!
And btw....when we have gone the weather forecast has not been on the mark. It was right about 60% of the time, so you may luck out!!

 

[bboy1977]

thanks for the great responses. I'm going to buy plastic rain ponchos today for the fam. But I still hope I luck out with the weather! I'm sick of New England's winter.

 

[TXTink]

The parks do indeed stay open in the rain!!! They will shut down the outside water rides in the event of a thunder/lightening storm but the inside attractions stay open. Be sure to have ponchos handy, then keep on touring. We really like it in the rain...cuts waaaay down on the crowds!!
And btw....when we have gone the weather forecast has not been on the mark. It was right about 60% of the time, so you may luck out!!

I totally agree!

And, the rain in Florida hardly ever "sets in for the day". It usually rains for a while and then clears up and you are back in full business again! All you have to do is wait for the ponchos to dry!!

Have fun!!

 

[my3princesses]

We were there last week and it basically rained the entire time except for part of one day. On Sunday it poured the entire day.

The parks are not as full which is nice so if you can handle it go for it (we said that at least it's not snowing!).

 

[shari2shop]

I too have been watching the forecast. We leave on the 11th and plan for our first Disney day to be on the 13th. When I saw rain in the 10 forecast I actually looked for other online weather sites that might have a different forecast!

I don't mind the rain, especially if it will make it less crowded. I just hope we don't end up wet and COLD!!!

I have bought us all ponchos.

Shari

 

[sk!mom]

Put on our cheap disposable Wal Mart ponchos and keep on going.

 

[jehma]

We were there last week and it basically rained the entire time except for part of one day. On Sunday it poured the entire day.

The parks are not as full which is nice so if you can handle it go for it (we said that at least it's not snowing!).

We were there too. Friday and especially Sunday there were no lines at all! On Sunday we were so soaked, but went on all the rides we wanted to go on with no waiting.

 

[cricket429]

I just went on to weather.com and the forcast for you didnt look to bad. Even the couple days they are calling for rain, the chance was only 30%. Maybe it is improving since you checked. If forcasts are anything like they are where we live, they cant predict tomorrows weather, let alone 10 days from now. I remember two years ago we were going to go camping for Memorial weekend and they called for a total washout for the whole weekend. This was right up to the last minute. We stayed home and the weather ended up being beautiful. I dont even think it rained.
I am thinking good thoughts for your weather and ours the week after yours.
Have a great trip!!!

 

[Kelly5538]

take a look at www.accuweather.com - we're there Mar 10 - 17 and the weather looks lovely!!!

 

[macfamily]

We'll be there all next week; hoping to be able to work on my tan at least a couple of days!!

 

[minkydog]

We buy those 2 for $1 ponchos at Dollar Tree and use them for all our trips. Not only do the work, they are bright, light weight, and disposable. If they are too long for the kids, cut them off or wear a belt. We even use them on teh water rides during the cool season.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Ponchos are the ticket but what to watch are what you have or put on your feet. Places around WDW can get mighty slippery. Them tongs are cool on the feet but slippery on the different kinds of pavement in the world. Also watch them tennis shoes too.

 

[kay_key3]

Yea, my family is going this week as well. We will be there for the Cheerleading comp and since this is our very first trip below Gatlinburg, I want it to be great.
We have so much rain here in Kentucky that we started building an ark. I am SO SICK and tired of the rain.

Please sun sun sun sun

 

[MamaQuack]

One of our very best trips ever was 2 years ago at the end of Feb/first of March - it rained, or was foggy and the wind blew every day. We did not let it stop us - just kept on going. Never waited in line for anything

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We had rain almost every day during our 2002 trip and we just put on our ponchos amd had a blast!! We were a little soggy but it was great to have less crowds and humidity in June!!!

 

[Tinkim]

We had rain on our first full day last week at MGM. I had bought ponchos at Wal-Mart before we left and we used those. They only had the adult size and it was too big for my DD7 so I bought her the WDW poncho. I could have cut it because it was too long but also the neck opening was so big the rain was going inside and getting her shirt wet so the WDW child size poncho did the trick. The CM's were apologizing for the weather but it didn't bother us because we're from NH and even with the rain it was better than the freezing temps and snow back home. Some people must have left because the lines were very short. We did RNR three times because it was a 10-minute wait (actually more like 5 min). TOT had no wait either when we went on that. We actually had a great time despite the rain and had quite a few laughs that day. The only thing I regret was not bringing dry socks/shoes to put on later in the day. I ended up buying socks in the gift shop for DS and I because our feet were getting wet. So if it does rain don't let it stop you from having fun. We laughed a lot that day! Also the weather forecast gets more accurate the closer you get to leaving. It looked like it was going to rain every day for our trip at 15 days out but the forecast changed quite a bit and we had very little rain.

 

[bearzabout]

Just a few more tips for rainy days:

Make sure to take zip lock bags to stuff your wet ponchos in when you go inside. Wearning wet plastic inside is very uncomfortable. I would always take my wet poncho off after I entered an indoor attraction and would stuff it into a ziploc bag in order to keep everything else in my pack dry.

I also carry a small umbrella. Sometimes, it is easier to use an umbrella when traveling short distances. I also have a ziploc bag in my pack for my wet umbrella.

I use the cheap thin plastic rain ponchos during short rains. They stuff into a small ziploc bag for easy storage but tear easily and the hoods do not stay on well if it is windy.

During extended periods of rain, I think the Disney poncho is the most comfortable. They don't cling to my skin as much and the hood is more secure. It fits nicely over my backpack. My five year old Disney poncho ripped during one trip and a CM gave me a new one for free!

Bring two or three pairs of shoes and leave a dry pair of shoes and socks in your car if you drive to the parks. I will also carry a dry pair of socks in my pack. Shoes may take 2 days to dry so I will alternate pairs during the rainy season. It is impossible to keep them dry during flooding rains.

 

[SammieG]

the ponchos are clear now (apart from the AK ones I think!) - well they were last August

This is much better as you can see clothes through them, and distinguish your family by clothes!!

It rains ALL the time in Florida.. no it doesnt ruin the experience.. its part of the experience! Sometimes when everyone is heading out of the park we are heading IN... no lines, no waits... and particularly epcot.. lots to do in the rain.

It rarely rains all day.. sometimes it does (infact one trip it rained incessantly for 12 days!) but mostly it rains for half an hour and then stops and the rain is dry within 10 minutes.